Change :
Prosperous Dao True World/Dao Prosperity True World ➡️ Dao Chang True World
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The Eternal Primordial God had not the slightest sympathy for the plight of the clan behind Luo Xiangjun.
After listening to Luo Xiangjun's account, he instead fell into deep thought.
Even Luo Zhu had once followed the Lord of Heaven's Proxy?
What exactly was the origin of the Lord of Heaven's Proxy? What was his identity? Was he, like them, a being from the Innate Era?
But whether it was him or the other Innate Beings, none had ever heard of such a figure.
In the later ages after the Vast Expanse was born, he was even able to initiate the Black Calamity Era and establish the Heaven's Proxy Organization that dominated the Vast Expanse.
The emergence of the Black Calamity Era, in a sense, even altered the course of the entire spacetime of the Vast Expanse, making the future unpredictable and difficult to glimpse.
"His true identity has always been a mystery? Could it be that he was truly an anomaly born outside the Heavenly Dao?" The Eternal Primordial God fell into silence.
Even innate beings like them had means to evade the sight of the Land of Truth, hide from great enemies, and fake death to escape.
Could an existence like the Lord of Heaven's Proxy truly have been sealed?
He had heard that during the period when the Lord of Heaven's Proxy ruled the Vast Expanse, even the Cataclysmic Tribulation had come to a halt.
The Lord of Heaven's Proxy seen by all beings was actually just a tiny part of the surface; the power he displayed was merely a drop in the ocean.
His true body had never appeared; it was very likely entangled in a great battle with unknown existences in unknown dimensions of spacetime.
The Lord of Heaven's Proxy was indeed, since the birth of the Vast Expanse, the undisputed foremost powerhouse, unmatched by anyone.
It was even very likely that not even in the Innate Era could one find an opponent to match him.
Could such a figure truly be sealed by the forces within the Vast Expanse?
The Eternal Primordial God shook his head. For an existence who had lived such a long time, even his eyelashes were hollow—how meticulous his mind must be.
He would not necessarily believe even the scenes he witnessed with his own eyes.
Let alone these rumors he had never seen.
When one becomes powerful enough, they can easily alter the perceptions and memories of all beings, rewrite entire ancient histories and spacetime, reverse reality and illusion, and snuff out the future.
Being so powerful, how could the Lord of Heaven's Proxy not know that on a future timeline he would be sealed?
He absolutely had the ability to snuff out that timeline and strangle all unknowable and uncontainable factors in their cradle.
So why was he still sealed?
Was it because of the intervention of the Land of Truth's power?
Or were there other reasons?
As far as he knew, before the Black Calamity Era, there had been another period called the Era of Dream's Ashes.
The Era of Dream's Ashes also left a vivid and significant mark on the history of the Vast Expanse.
An existence named the Dream Lord, who entered the Dao through dreams, possessed heaven-defying methods. He had once invaded the Heavenly Dao and occupied it for a period; his true identity was also a mystery.
During the Era of Dream's Ashes, the Dream Lord created the Dream Domain, attempting to replace the Vast Expanse. He used Mengze as the domain, dividing it into Upper Cloud Dream Marsh above and Lower White Dream Marsh below, corresponding respectively to the Land of Truth and the Vast Expanse.
All beings lived between reality and dreams; the entire heaven, earth, and spacetime were but a fleeting illusion.
Kinsmen, family, even enemies—all might be illusory. The scenes they lived in, everything they witnessed, from birth to death and burial, were nothing but a grand empty dream of their own.
Although the Era of Dream's Ashes had long since ended, thoroughly vanishing and buried within the Vast Expanse as if annihilated, unknown to all worlds.
The Eternal Primordial God still couldn't help but suspect: could there have emerged a force so powerful and bizarre that it was imperceptible to all worlds, one that even altered his own cognition?
Was it that the Lord of Heaven's Proxy had not been sealed at all? That he merely altered the cognition of all beings and that segment of spacetime?
However, if that segment of spacetime truly existed, then it was very likely that the Lord of Heaven's Proxy had long seen the future, knew what would happen, and thus chose that world line where he was sealed?
"Also, what exactly is the relationship between the Heaven-Slaying Alliance and Heaven's Proxy? What connection is there between the Lord of Heaven's Proxy and the Alliance Leader of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance?"
Suddenly, the Eternal Primordial God seemed to think of something. He jolted, his back drenched in cold sweat.
The Dark Beings had reappeared in the world with such intensity, so openly and without concealment—how could they truly have nothing to rely on?
And the timing of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance's emergence and the Dark Beings' reappearance was truly too coincidental.
"Regardless of the reason, I need you to take me to the Luo Clan's territory." The Eternal Primordial God's expression was grave and solemn as he looked at Luo Xiangjun and said in a deep voice.
Ever since learning the news that her Ancient Ancestor might still be alive, Luo Xiangjun had become somewhat gloomy, her spirits very low.
She had given her all just to successfully escape that place.
She never wanted to set foot there again in this lifetime.
But faced with the Eternal Primordial God's current demand, she had no confidence to refuse.
…
"By the mandate of heaven, my Dao prospers eternally?"
"Is that the meaning?"
"Where exactly is Dao Chang? Why would the Dreamghosts Clan suddenly seek a place called Dao Chang?"
Deep within Purple Mist Mountain, purple clouds steamed and mist drifted.
Shafts of golden light surged within, like blazing suns rising. Amidst the radiance, the pavilions and palaces appeared even more majestic and sacred.
Zi Wanhe sat within the great hall, brows furrowed in thought, his expression as somber as water.
He had not participated in the great war between the Heaven-Slaying Alliance and the Alliance of Righteous Unity.
Nevertheless, he had followed the decree and dispatched many elders from Purple Mist Mountain, leading numerous experts to the front lines.
Although this war of slaughter was raging fiercely, drawing the attention of the entire Vast Expanse, he now had not the slightest mind to pay attention.
Since the last time the Dreamghosts Clan had appeared and tasked him with finding the whereabouts of "Dao Chang,"
the mark they had left on him had become increasingly distinct. Like a soul-reaping chain, it reminded him at every moment to hurry and fulfill this transaction.
Zi Wanhe understood very well what would happen if he reneged on the deal with the Dreamghosts Clan, so he dared not be negligent in the slightest.
To this end, he had even secretly ordered his trusted confidants to search everywhere for news related to "Dao Chang," no matter how trivial.
Yet it was clear, Zi Wanhe had still underestimated the difficulty of this matter.
At first, Zi Wanhe had thought that in this world, there should be no shortage of places or powers named "Dao Chang." After all, the Vast Expanse was so immense, the universe and spacetime so vast.
Even identically named places would surely be numerous.
However, the reality was the complete opposite. It was as if the term "Dao Chang" had never existed in the myriad worlds, seemingly absent from ancient times to the present.
Zi Wanhe had also asked his once highly valued descendant, Zi Susu, to discreetly consult various ancient texts and visit other clans and powers to search.
But the answer he received was that those records similarly contained nothing related to "Dao Chang."
Zi Wanhe speculated that the two words "Dao Chang" likely carried corresponding karmic ties, for in a sense, this already involved "Heaven."
Many orthodoxies and powers, when choosing names or establishing principles, dared not adopt any name related to it, fearing they could not bear the burden.
Yet even so, it was unreasonable that no clues or records related to "Dao Chang" could be found throughout the worlds.
No wonder even the Dreamghosts Clan, rumored to be omnipotent, had ultimately come to him.
Of course, Zi Wanhe suspected there was another possibility: that "Dao Chang" had once existed in history.
But for some reason, it had been thoroughly erased from the worlds, obliterated, such that any records, karmic memories related to it had been destroyed.
This sort of terrifying power made his heart palpitate and tremble. He did not know what deeper matters this involved.
"If time runs short, I'll ultimately have no choice but to seek help from the Alliance Leader. He is unfathomably mysterious, his methods reaching the heavens; he should know something." Zi Wanhe's expression was very grim.
At that moment, at his cheekbone near the temple, a mark like a drop of deep purple liquid was emitting a faint glow.
Looking closely, one would see this deep purple mark spreading like ink bleeding on rice paper.
At its base, accompanied by threads of black lines, it bore into the depths of his brow like old tree roots that had grown for many years.
This was the time given to him by the Dreamghosts Clan.
When this deep purple mark completely infiltrated the depths of his sea of consciousness, Zi Wanhe did not know what would happen to him, but it would certainly not be anything good.
The Dreamghosts Clan had reappeared in the world and suddenly wanted to find "Dao Chang."
Was it because "Dao Chang" contained something the Dreamghosts Clan was searching for?
Where exactly was "Dao Chang"?
…
"This great war—who knows when it will end. Is it truly worth it?"
"Although the Dark Beings haven't interfered yet, there's no guarantee they won't take advantage when both us and the Alliance of Righteous Unity are weakened. If this war ends in mutual destruction, it will only allow the Dark Beings to reap the benefits."
The small courtyard was secluded and tranquil, with flowing streams and bamboo groves like forests, a gentle breeze rippling.
Looking at Gu Changge, who still seemed so leisurely and content, Ling Yuling couldn't help but shake her head gently.
Except for issuing a few decrees at the very beginning, Gu Changge had basically paid no attention to the war between the Heaven-Slaying Alliance and the Alliance of Righteous Unity, essentially leaving all its handling to her.
He seemed to care only about the outcome of the war, not the process.
As for casualties or spoils, he never inquired.
Ling Yuling couldn't even guess what his purpose was in starting this war.
From start to finish, it seemed he had never left this small courtyard, spending his days drinking tea or wine, appreciating flowers, and fishing—full of leisurely charm.
"Reap the benefits?"
Gu Changge smiled casually, utterly unconcerned. "It's not yet certain who the fisherman is."
Ling Yuling felt a bit helpless, knowing she couldn't fathom Gu Changge's thoughts. Rather than speculate wildly, it was better to focus her mind elsewhere.
"The Alliance of Righteous Unity must have obtained some reliance this time to have the courage to clash with us head-on. Yet they've been on the back foot this whole period, suffering heavy defeats on all fronts..."
"I just can't figure out why, even though the Dark Beings clearly reached some agreement with the Alliance of Righteous Unity, we haven't seen any Dark Beings assisting them in this war. Isn't there something fishy about that?"
She stepped lightly, walking over, and with familiarity and ease, poured tea for Gu Changge, and also poured a cup for herself.
Then she sat down holding the cup, slowly blew on the hot steam, and took small sips.
"The Dark Beings are busy with important matters. They have neither the time nor the energy to care about the life or death of the Alliance of Righteous Unity."
Gu Changge lifted his teacup and took a sip, a strange smile at the corner of his mouth. "You were once a former Sage who fought against the Black Calamity Catastrophe. Have you forgotten the Dark Beings' purpose?"
Ling Yuling cast him a slightly reproachful glance. "You always tease me about this. So what if I'm a former Sage? Now I'm under your command, toiling away for you."
"It seems you've been spending too much time with Mu Yan; you've picked up her sharp tongue," Gu Changge said with a chuckle.
A smile appeared at the corner of Ling Yuling's mouth. She reached out her snowy-white hand to tuck a few strands of hair behind her ear and said softly, "Since even you say so, it looks like the rumors are true. The Dark Beings do indeed intend to revive the Lord of Heaven's Proxy through the Grand Sacrificial Ritual. But from the way this news was released, there is likely a fourth faction secretly involved, besides the Alliance of Righteous Unity and the Heaven-Slaying Alliance..."
Gu Changge looked at her with interest, seemingly surprised that she would suddenly bring up this topic.
"Then tell me, who could this fourth faction likely be?" he asked.
"I suspect it might have something to do with the Saintess Xiyuan who escaped at the time. After all, her master is Sage Xi, the former West Sage, a figure on par with Zhong Jun, Nan Zun, Bei Di, and Dong Huang."
"The Mirror of Reincarnation is still in the possession of Saintess Xiyuan, and her current whereabouts are unknown. I suspect she may have already reunited with Sage Xi. And people so knowledgeable about the Heaven's Proxy Organization would probably be figures like the former Sage Xi and the others."
Hearing this, Ling Yuling thought seriously for a moment before offering her speculation.
Gu Changge had an expression of apparent contemplation and nodded. "Your analysis makes a lot of sense. However, this fourth faction is neither friend nor foe, and from a short-term perspective, it shouldn't conflict much with the Heaven-Slaying Alliance."
Ling Yuling also nodded. "But given the Heaven-Slaying Alliance's reputation, it's inevitable that we'll eventually come into contact with this fourth faction lurking in the shadows. I think it's best to take more precautions."
Gu Changge looked at her approvingly and smiled. "It seems you're even more worried about the future development of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance than I, the Alliance Leader, am."
"After all, it's your painstaking effort. I want to help you as much as I can, as a way to make up for my past misunderstandings of you," Ling Yuling said.
"With you saying that, I finally feel that all the trouble I went through for you back then was worth it." Gu Changge gently closed his teacup, a faint smile playing at the corner of his lips.
Perhaps even Ling Yuling herself felt that her recent transformation was normal and reasonable.
But Gu Changge was still somewhat unaccustomed to it.
In truth, he had appreciated her more at the summit of the Mountain of Myriad Wonders, when she faced the various clans and orthodoxies, daring to die to prove her innocence.
However, in order to completely hide the whereabouts of the Sixfold Celestial Abyss Armor, she had gone so far as to cut away part of her memories. That method was quite resolute.
Still, from the very beginning, Ling Yuling had overestimated the importance of the Sixfold Celestial Abyss Armor to Gu Changge.
Swish!
The fishing rod lightly swept across the surface of the pond. The slender, crystalline fishing line dropped straight into the water, creating a small ripple.
Gu Changge leaned lazily and comfortably against the rattan chair, tossing the rod at his feet, simply waiting for the fish to take the bait.
Ling Yuling felt somewhat helpless and amused.
Who in the world could ever imagine that, while the Vast Expanse was in turmoil and chaos, the chief culprit, the Alliance Leader of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, was leisurely fishing in a courtyard right now?
However, she could tell that although the pond before Gu Changge was crystal clear to the bottom, within it spacetime overlapped, layer upon layer interwoven, dense with the aura of worlds. Who knew into which world that fishhook had already fallen.
Who knew what Gu Changge wanted to fish for.
The small courtyard returned to its tranquil quiet.
The fragrance of tea filled the air. On a small red clay stove, the tea bubbled and steamed. Ling Yuling patiently brewed tea for Gu Changge, placing precious Dao teas in piece by piece. Radiant light merged, dazzlingly brilliant, and various phenomena appeared.
Just then, a voice announcing a message suddenly came from outside the courtyard,
"Alliance Leader, I have brought the person..."